Neighbors

Lifetime Missourians and local cattle ranchers Danny and Teresa McCurry were used to the state’s predictably erratic weather. Like the old saying goes, “If you don’t like the weather, stick around it’ll change in 20 minutes.” They still cringe, however, when recalling the devastation brought on by the not-so-distant drought of 2012.

Gary and Jewell Proctor of Lincoln, Ark., were both raised on farms and met while they worked at the Baldwin Piano factory in Fayetteville, Ark.

When brothers Kent and Steve Livesay, sons of the late David Livesay, took on their farming partnership of the Livesay Orchards in Porter, Okla., in 1976, adverse weather conditions came with it. Acres of fruit trees and livestock keep the two families involved in the tenable lifestyle. Risk of loss runs high on their 130 acres of peach and apple trees since two of nature’s concerns can instantly be counterproductive and wipe out a season of production. “Difficult challenges and the highest risk on our farm is a spring freeze after blooming. Normally a freeze would not kill trees but would keep the fruit trees from producing. We have had spring freezes and it is just not practical to cover peach trees when you have thousands of them,” said Kent. Drought also makes it difficult. They have limited amounts of water in some of the orchard locations but most of the peach trees have irrigation.

Exclusively raising market lambs for 4-H and FFA shows is a very distinctive feature of Wagner Club Lambs. Unlike many other farms in the state, their only product is sheep. They reach a broad national market for their Suffolk, Hampshire and crossbreds through shows and their website. Clay and Rhianna Wagner have lived just outside of Greenwood, Ark., since 2003.

With names like Southern Comfort and Bourbon on the Rocks, a new client of Stacy and Jerimiah Gan knows from the beginning that Blackberry Ridge Boers is a unique Boer goat undertaking that includes a good bit of fun as well as being a serious family-run livestock operation.

At age 18, Diana Gerdes completed her Trainer B license in Germany, her native land, as a riding instructor and horse trainer, equivalent to an FEI (Federation Equestre Internationale) III level instructor in this country. Little did she know that training would serve her all of her life through a series of adventures and travel to various countries. Today, she and her husband, Wayne reside in Pulaski County, outside Crocker, Mo., where she operates Germania Stables and has for the past 10 years. Previously, her Germania Stables was located wherever Wayne, a retired military man now working privately for the U.S. government, was stationed. Her daughter, Caroline was married earlier this year and her son, 14-year-old Christopher still lives at home.

It is one of those days. The rain pounds the top of his truck, the sky looms dark and dreary and water gushes over the cement bridge he must cross to get to his cattle. Still Beau Davis’ spirits beam bright. People who know Beau will tell you that’s just the way he is, always moving forward with upbeat determination.

Many future beef cattle farmers learn to handle a variety of animals by participating in 4-H Clubs or FFA. Others, such as sisters Colleen and Allison Byrn, learn first hand from a family of farmers. The 2013 Tulsa State Fair captured the attention of Colleen and Allison, daughters of Terry Byrn and the granddaughters of Ronnie and Patsy Summers of Afton, Okla., in Ottawa County. Both Afton High School Agriculture students had winning achievements from the Tulsa State Fair. Colleen, 17, won Reserve Champion Heifer and Champion Bred/Owned Angus-Santa Gertrudis cross. Allison, 16, won Grand Champion Heifer and Reserve Champion Bred/Owned Santa Gertrudis.

Each farm or ranch has its own specific charm, but Sawoaks outside of Tahlequah, Okla., is like a manicured park with rolling hills, heavy metal fences and dotted with clumps of beautiful red oak trees. The difference is these hills are home to 152 registered Angus with 40 bulls being sold per year. Al Williams started in the late ‘80s with 110 acres that has gradually grown to 575 acres with a beautiful home sitting on the crest of a hill and overlooking picturesque land. The ranch didn’t look like this in the beginning, however. The land had been full of rock, brush, dead trees and other debris, and Al began clearing by using a brush hog. Patience and persistence have paid off in a big way.

Wayne and Annie Anstine of Mulberry, Ark., have spent their lives trying to find a balance between their economic needs and farming. In 1981, the couple purchased an unused army barracks from Fort Chaffee for $800 but paid $1,200 to have the building moved to their new 160 acres in Mulberry. The home has undergone numerous additions growing into a beautiful, rustic style home and the homestead for two children and eight grandchildren.